NFC South Morning Jog: July 16 Contract Deadline Looms for Saints, Brees

Each morning, I like to start the day off with a workout—usually a morning jog. I can clear my head, plan my day, and think about what’s going on around the NFC South.

New Orleans Saints

David Hawthorne is the Saints' No. 17 player on the top 25 countdown list from the Times-Picayune.

There are just seven days left for Drew Brees and the Saints to hammer out a long-term deal before the July 16 deadline. [SportsNOLA]

Roger Goodell didn't think highly of the argument that the Saints players were just following orders when it comes to Bountygate. [Pro Football Talk]

Atlanta Falcons

The Falcons lost backup linebacker Matt Hansen for four to six months after he ruptured his patellar tendon. [Atlanta Field Report]

Lofa Tatupu nearly sent in his retirement papers last year. [Boston Globe]

Carolina Panthers

An interesting take on Cam Newton's fluke-like NFL record for rushing touchdowns last year. [Bleacher Report]

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

This NFL.com report thinks Doug Martin will be the "highest-producing rookie in 2012" from a fantasy perspective.

Optimism surrounds the new regime in Tampa Bay. But there are still some doubters. [Tampa Tribune]